Chapter 142 - The Wounded Monster

The journey continues. Of course, me and Daniela’s journey. It had started in Fhiraldo and continued through Spiris, Alessa, Valdorf, Senka Village, and Replant. We had walked through many towns, villages, and cities.

There were many that were incredibly comfortable. We met new friends that were difficult to part with. Encounters and partings were supposed to be the best parts of traveling, but they were often surprisingly hard. But each time, it meant going on a new adventure and to new encounters. Obviously, there would be more partings after that, but I knew that it wasn’t the end.

Now, what sort of encounter awaited us here on out?

Would it be something wonderful? Perhaps a surprising reunion?

My curiosity was endless. I enjoyed imagining what our future held, as we traveled together every day.

□　　　□　　　□　　　□

We spent the night by a small river and then headed south. As the river was flowing to the south, we just had to follow it. The clear rushing of the water was a nice backdrop as Daniela and I talked, occasionally rested, and ate when hungry. If we were ever attacked by monsters, we killed them and cut off any pieces that we thought would be proof of the hunt. That might sound a little rough, but it really was a peaceful journey. Or perhaps I had just become so accustomed to this life that I was able to see it that way.

While we were following the river at first, it eventually changed course and turned west. And so we crossed the river and continued to go down south. Our surroundings had been a field up until then, but there were now short trees everywhere. This forest was the landmark, apparently. According to the map in Daniela’s brain, there was a small village on the other side of the forest.

That night, we made a fire next to the forest and slept.

It was four in the morning. I tossed some wood into the fire and got up to stretch my limbs.

The sky above was still dark, but I could see some light colors rising in the east.

It was just before sunrise. Recently, I had been keeping Presence Detection on at all times, and now, it caught something. I had been checking a wide area, but something had just entered it. I stretched my hand out to grab the Schwarz Tempest, which I swung over my shoulder before heading towards the spot where there was movement.

It was inside of the forest, but visibility was low. I used Nighteyes and tried to see between the trees and in the bushes. Then I narrowed down the focus of Presence Detection and continued to search until I sensed something behind some trees at two o’clock. I held my sword and walked closer in order to see what it was, all the while erasing the sounds of my feet as much as possible. It was necessary to go around the trees so I would be behind whatever it was when I came out.

Then I stared quietly through the grass towards the root of a tree. That’s where it was. Thanks to Nighteyes, I could see even if the forest was dark.

What was there, was a forest wolf covered in wounds.

Perhaps the signal had been so weak because it was dying. They say that wounded beasts are the most dangerous, but this degree of injury would mean it would barely be able to move. The problem was, what had done this to it?

I kept my guard up as I stood in front of the forest wolf. For some reason, I couldn’t just leave it there. Maybe it was because I had the Protection of the Forest Wolf. I was a little more attached to them than the average Adventurer, anyway.

It glanced towards me and sniffed. But it showed no signs of resisting.

“Horrible cuts…”

It was covered in them. The blood was running so heavily that there was a puddle underneath it. Spatters of blood were next to its path of pawprints.

“Kuun…”

Its whimper was so weak that I started to wonder if I couldn’t help it somehow. The normal thing to do now would be to enjoy my luck, grab a free proof of the hunt and then go and track down whatever it was that did this. But this time, I couldn’t look away.

“Wait here.”

I didn’t think it would understand me, but I said it anyway before rushing back to the camp. I hurriedly took off the greatsword and rummaged through my bag for the appraisal glasses and a few recovery potions. Then I returned to where the forest wolf was. It raised its head when I asked if it was alright. Then I supported its jaw with my hand while pouring the potion into its mouth. At the same time, I watched while wearing the appraisal glasses. The deepest wound was on its chest. It looked like the work of claws. I somehow managed to pour some of the potion over that area. It must have stung, because it struggled weakly and tried to escape. But I held it down as it healed. Thankfully, the wound closed up. Daniela’s potions were quite effective. Then I gently picked up the forest wolf and headed back for the camp.

When I laid it down near the fire, it closed its eyes as in great comfort. While I was hoping that it would not die, another part of me questioned why I, Asagi the Adventurer, was doing this. What would Daniela say? That side of me asked. But Asagi Kamiyashiro was not so callous. I was still not at a point where I could kill needlessly.

The east sky grew brighter and brighter. I used water magic to wash the forest wolves wounds and thought about what I was going to do.

Well, the first thing was to apologize to Daniela…

□　　　□　　　□　　　□

“…So that’s what happened. Sorry that I used your potions.”

“No, I do not mind. I know you well enough to understand. That was not the kind of moment where you could deal the finishing blow.”

“Thank you… I’ll give you the money for the potions later.”

Whether party members or lovers, we had decided to be clear in terms of handling money.

And so I promised to pay for them.

As for the forest wolf, the visible wounds had all closed, but it still wasn’t completely well. It was currently chewing on some meat from a skewer. After finishing its second one, it licked the area around its mouth and then rested as if satisfied.

“Seems kind of friendly for a monster…”

“Well, perhaps it was once kept by someone.”

Daniela said. Did such things happen?

“There are tamers. And I have heard that monsters are sometimes raised as substitutes for guard dogs in the countryside. Maybe this one was a guard dog that was attacked…it is possible.”

“You mean that it was kept in the village up ahead?”

“It is a possibility.”

I tried petting its back. It did not resist. It was almost too accustomed to humans. It really was like a pet dog.

“Monsters are tough, which means that in some respects, they are easier to raise than dogs. But the problem is that they are hard to tame. It depends on if you can handle them when they turn their fangs on you.”

“Well, they are monsters.”

Considering how this one was, there were no problems in terms of being tamed. I doubted it would start biting.

“This one seems quite tough. I am sure it will be able to walk again soon. We should clean up here and try taking him to the village.”

“Understood.”

I agreed with Daniela’s suggestion and stood up. We cleaned up the trash and took down the tent. All of our belongings were thrown into the hollow bag and then I splashed some water over the fire to put it out. When everything was done, the forest wolf got up and wagged its tail as it rubbed its face against my leg. Damn, it was cute… Something about how it was resting until the last possible second reminded me of Daniela.

“Hmm. I feel as if you were mocking me just now.”

“You’re imagining things. Let’s go.”

I picked up the hollow bag and started to walk. Then the forest wolf started to walk in front of us as if leading the way. Of course, it was going east. In the direction of the village. It was so smart that I almost believed that it understood what we were saying.

It was a very unexpected encounter, but that was how we met this new monster. And so began the short journey of two people and one wolf.